Today I want to present a current trend for scouting outdoors. As you probably can see in your social media flow, it is polarized as in the community overall…But there is a couple of areas that connects, such as: combining adventures, wellness and social connections into a lifestyle. What I can see is that physical and emotional benefits significantly is more in focus. “Traditional adventures” will decrease, in the shadow of adventures being memorable, transformative, and deeply connected to nature. Instead of traditional sightseeing, travellers are increasingly choosing mountain expeditions, remote hiking routes, kayaking adventures, and wilderness exploration trips.

Wellness trend; this area has become important. People recognize that spending time outdoors offers benefits that extend far beyond physical fitness. Research continues to support the connection between natural environments and improved mental health, making outdoor wellness one of the fastest-growing recreational trends.

Outdoor recreation trend: This area has been growing for a time now, and here my point of view here will be -Combine the wellness trend with this and you will have a winning concept. But let us first investigate the area itself first. Trail running has grown in the last years. Running with a running vest showing you’re a real runner. Running trails in the mountains named “sky running” has increased as well.  This blend of fitness, adventure, and community makes trail running one of the most exciting outdoor trends to watch.

Outdoor endurance events: In the beginning of 2000 this trend appeared on the maps. It has its ground from the military, and it has grown since that. For people who want to test their limits this will be the challenge. Ultra-distance races, obstacle races and multi-day cycling could be some examples in this area. As more people pursue experience-based achievements rather than material rewards, I can predict that this is an area that will expand.

Micro adventures: This has been in focus for a couple of years now. With people got money, but less time – this is the solution. An extended weekend can mean a lot of experiences for a short time. This has become a challenge for places where communication and experiences and challenges meet.

Exploring nature-and embracing it: well, we can also see the growth of activities with a sustainability mindset, and where you also learn something about the environment and culture. Hiking in the mountains and learning about geology at the same time is one such area.

So, what will be the conclusion from my point of view of the outdoor landscape in 2026 then? What I can see is innovation, wellness, sustainability and appreciation of nature will be the key here. Outdoor life becomes more of an overall lifestyle for the people who’s in it. My reflection will be to combine one-two or more of all this trend will be a winning concept. With the experience of genuine feeling as a base, that my five coins of it all…

The past week I was on a tour to Geilo, Norway. Really nice place even though it was summer…We stayed at hotel Geilo a classic ski lodge. 

A couple of trail running tours near Ustedals fjorden and a real nice hike to Skarvsenden 1705m. We started at Ustedalen and hike towards Fjellstölen,

from here we took the right trail to Vardahovdun and to Prestholtveien to Prestholtstölan Mountain hut.

From here the the steep climb up to the peak of Skarvenden 1705m and then down and the eastern trail down, passing Eimekroken

and Grasjuve.

A real fine day tour…

Review of Mammut Eiger Speed Hybrid pant. This is a pant developed for fast mountaineering. With a price of ~172 Euro (~1900:-) I got high expectations. The pant is quite light and smooth. With its two long zippers at the side, it is easy to ventilate and to put on boots etc. One zipper pockets and two without zippers. Ok, it is Mammut and it is expensive, but I must say -this became a favourite. Perfect fit, breathable and the pockets was enough from my point of view. So this will be (NNNNN-) the minus is the price. But a really good pant for speed mountaineering.

Deslondes + Twain – Run Wild

See ya soon…

“Don’t quit when you are tired – quit when you are done”. It’s all about learning to be comfortable with discomfort.

This must be taken with small step-step by step. There will be two keys to succeeding here. First, small steps, and second will be, use the mornings.

Frequency rather than volume. Perfectionism is the enemy of consistency, if you fail one day don’t worry it’s a new day tomorrow… So here comes some thoughts about strategies for this: Every day is easier than most days. A routine, a lifestyle and a structure that shows who you really are…Fire in the act, grace in the amount. This means making sure you do it, but don’t worry about how much of it you do. Mornings will be the time for it, during the day, you will always find an excuse for not doing it. Use progressive overload to build the muscle. This means doing it in a controlled way. Not going from 0-100. Early mornings don’t mean to go from waking up at 7 to 4. Start with 06.30…Never try to make up for a miss. Ok, so I missed the target for the day-I’ll do it x2 tomorrow. This will move you further from your goal. And focus on the trend, and not the position. Consistency isn’t about perfection—it’s about managing your imperfection to achieve the things you want. It’s not glamorous. It’s not easy. But it’s what separates those who talk about their dreams from those who go out and live them. Small step will take you there. Are you ready to go? Show up when it’s hard. Show up when it’s messy. Show up when no one’s watching. Show up when you don’t feel like it. Show up when the rewards are uncertain.

So, my own experience of this: It wont be easier tomorrow, do it today. Dont talk, dont think of it-Do it. That is what make things happens. I once got a colleague who always was talking about becoming a fast runner. I saw him and I heard him. But honest, I never saw him train hard, really hard I mean. He never become a elite runner by the way…Nothing comes for free, you have to create you own value of life. So why dont you start here….

The importance of mid layer…

Mid layer, this garment is one of the toughest to choose. When you’re out and about, it’s not just the shell that keeps you warm. The mid layer traps air, wicks away moisture and balances your temperature. Your choice should be based on activity, weather and temperature. So first of all you have to choose materials. Wool for example got good moister transport, warms even when its damp. But dry slower then synthetics. It will fit best for slow pace, cold conditions and activities with varied intensity.  Down, high heat to weight ratio. Light weight and easy to compress-less space in the pack. The disadvantage will be the sensitivity for moister, and need a shell layer for protection. Synthetics, we all have been use this before wool become attractive. It isolates even if its vet, it dry fast and its affordable and durable. It suits best for intensive activities, even in vet weather. But you can recognize the smell:-). We also got the Fleece, it got Very good breathability and moisture transport. Soft and light towards the body, It dry fast. Less warmth in really cold conditions. Suits best for; active use, mild to moderately cold temperatures, as a midlayer under a shell jacket

Agnes – Fingers Crossed

See ya soon

Today’s blog will be about one of my favourite topics, mental strength and toughness. But first an analyse of the difference between mental strength and mental toughness.

Mental toughness focuses on performance, pushing through adversity, and enduring short-term discomfort to achieve a goal. In contrast, mental strength emphasizes character development, emotional regulation, and long-term health. While toughness is about looking unshakeable, strength is about having the tools to adapt and grow.

What is this topic all about? Is mental strength/toughness to do the 10 hard intervals you planned? or to do the 45km speed hike with backpack in just one day? Mental strength isn’t just seen in major crises – it’s seen in everyday life, when you can adapt, stand up for your values, and keep moving forward even when it feels tough. It’s not about always being positive or never getting affected, but about recovering, learning, and choosing what’s important, time and time again.

Ok, here we go. Let’s start by looking into the 7c’s of mental strength; Competence The ability to handle situations effectively, rooted in real skills and lived experience. Confidence The solid belief in your own abilities, built by demonstrating competence rather than just receiving empty praise. Connection Developing close ties to family, friends, and community so you know you are not alone during tough times. Character Having a fundamental sense of right and wrong, a strong moral compass, and a caring attitude toward others. Contribution Feeling a sense of purpose and realizing that the world is a better place because you are in it. Coping Having a robust toolkit of strategies to manage stress, stay flexible, and view challenges from multiple perspectives. and Control Realizing that your decisions and actions shape your future, allowing you to focus on what you can change and let go of what you can’t.

Have you ever wondered what makes someone a good athlete or a good leader or guide? Why do some people accomplish their goals, while others don’t? The answer will often be; He/she is so intelligent, or he/she is so lucky. But if you dig a bit deeper of that thought, we will find something else…In fact, when you start looking into it, your talent and your intelligence don’t play nearly as big of a role as you might think. The research studies say that intelligence only accounts for 30% of your achievement. What makes a bigger impact than talent or intelligence then? That will be the Mental toughness. There has been some study of this in the military area. What they could see there wasn’t strength-smart or leadership potential that was the key to passing the boot camp training to sift the chaff from the wheat . Instead, it was grit — the perseverance and passion to achieve long–term goals — that made the difference. It was mental toughness that predicted whether a cadet would be successful, not their talent, intelligence, or genetics.

Hm. But what makes someone mentally tough? The key word here will be consistent. A mental tough athlete never misses a workout. A mental tough leader has a clear goal that they work towards each morning and each day. They don’t let short–term profits, negative feedback, or hectic schedules prevent them from continuing the march towards their vision. They make a habit of building up the people around them — not just once, but repeatedly.

The good news is that grit and perseverance can become your defining traits, regardless of the talent you were born with. You can become more consistent. You can develop superhuman levels of mental toughness. If have been following me to this point, your question should now be -yes, I have understood. But how, you might ask. Please tell me, I want to go there…That my friend will be this week’s cliff-hanger. Next blog, you will find out…

Consistency beats inspiration…

Walking In The Air

See ya soon…

Even if a guiding session has been planned, it will always be changes due to circumstances we have no control over. But on the other hand, it will be more interesting in that way:-). This time the plan was to discover a new area in the Dolomites. The plan was to do a smaller hike in the Val Di Fiemme area, but timewise it ended up just being in the area. The big adventures must wait until the next day.

After breakfast it was time for transport to San Martino di Castrozza, passing Passo Rollo. This is a small Mountain resort in the Primiero in Trentino province. The first hotel in the area was built in 1873 by the Irish traveller John Ball. The number of citizens is 563 people. Day one was a reconnaissance tour of 2746m, the Cima della Rosetta, and the surrounding areas. So, after the success of the peak attempt it was a coffee at the Rosetta cabin. The next day the plan was to go for a three thousand peak, Cimon della Pala, but here we realized it would be to tough and technical for reaching, which led us to an attempt of the Cima Corona instead(2768m) and this with a successful outcome. The trail also included some snow field as well…The third day was a choice of a cabin tour or a peak attempt. And guess what, the peak attempt won. Early in the morning, and off we go, step by step we caught terrain, and after just a couple of hours we were standing in front of a spectacular scenery. A breath-taking view of the mountain area. What I didn’t know was that this was only the beginning of the day. The next thing was to start the descend. A good turn, where the lesson was to choose the red path. This allows you to primarily maintain altitude and at the same time avoid ravines, good experience for the mountaineers…Next thing was to hike down with speed…Really nice workout after a mountain day:-) 

The Creeps – She’s My Girl

See ya soon…

Today we are going to visit one of the lesser-known national parks. It was established as late as 1991, but was expanded to its current total of 16 square kilometres. It is located in Västerbotten, in Åsele municipality. By now you should have been able to figure out that we are going on a trip to Björnlandet National Park. The purpose of this national park was to preserve a still untouched section of so-called undulating mountain hill terrain. Typical Norrland nature with moraine-covered ancient rocks, coniferous forests and clear river valleys.

In Björnlandet you can find bears, wolverines and lynxes. There are around 360 bears in Västerbotten County. So you have the chance to move around in bear lands here…

Hiking here requires a lot, both the ability to navigate and, above all, fitness and balance. In part, you need to use your whole body to get through the sections. You can expect a speed of 2km/hour, so you understand that there is nothing prepared here…In the national park there are two 6-bed cabins that are free to use.But a word of warning in the summer there are mosquitoes here, a lot of mosquitoes. Here you will be alone, desolation breeds patience and perspective. One of the nicer trails to hike is the Mother-in-Law’s Trail.The overnight cabins are very nice and well-equipped with a kitchen area and an outdoor toilet.The trail is demanding, however, with endless jumping over roots and rocks.But at the same time very relaxing – interesting and fascinating. The trail is 12,6 km and expected to take about 5 hours. From the top of Björnberget you get breath-taking views .The trail is marked with green markings.

Sun On My Face | Irie Tahitian Reggae 2026

See ya soon…

If I were to ever would write a book, it would most likely be about meetings. Meetings in the mountains… Meetings between people are a prerequisite for life itself and help us reflect on how we see ourselves and how we see others. Social connections provide opportunities for emotional support and empathy. Sharing our feelings, concerns, and joys with other people can help boost our self-esteem, promote a positive self-image, and increase our ability to cope with adversity.

Of all my memories from mountaineering, the meetings with people there are the ones that have meant the most and are the most deeply etched in my memory.

So, a lot of examples of this; the Italian guide at Lac Blanc in -Chamonix, who invited us to share his cheese and meat platter accompanied by wine from his own vineyard. Or the manager of base camp Gosfansara in Iran who offered breakfast at sunrise…Or the conversation by the fire at Sylarna mountain station with the adventurer Håkan Eliasson the guide Mattias Jansson (a team mate for life) and the station manager Mats Almlöf (who was, by the way, a clearly interesting person, with a passion for the mountains…)

Or  the New Year dinner with the with the Inca descendants at base camp at Aconcagua. But to talk about meetings without mentioning Nils Thorstensson would be blasphemy. The man who introduces me to the mountain world. Nils has a background as a former paratrooper. Calm as the lake in the morning, wise as owl, and with a integrity you could not break through, but at the same time the humblest man you can ever think of. Last and not least, my own Kenai the husky. We spend a lot of time in the mountains. After a long day he lay down close to me and slept. Totally relaxed. I miss you my Kenai…Every day…Kenai at Österfjället-Bydalen.

So, it has been a busy period. Meeting within the Swedish Mountain Safety Council, work meeting with the Mountain Leader Council and Board meeting in the Mountain Leader organization. And add to those, two days of upgrade training for Mountain Leaders to the new norm. Jammi…

Let’s start with the spring meeting with the Mountain Safety Council. Focus here was the statistics from the winter season as well as the reports from the incidents last year. This winter the weather has been unusually varied. Avalanches that passed over the winter leader in several places. changing snowmobile track conditions as well as difficult ice conditions.

The Mountain Rescue (Police Authority) reports 110 (265 last year) cases of involvement. Most mission in Jämtland and Norrbotten. Most of them were rescue mission related to hiking followed by skiing, and snowmobiles. The rescues were mostly related to wounds, after medical reasons and emergency reasons. 54% was men, 36% women. Average time from registration to completion 3,5hour.

When it comes to guest nights at mountain stations and mountain huts, this has decreased somewhat compared to the pandemic.

When it comes to the upgrade for the Mountain Leaders, the training was held as a webinar. Here two solid parts were included. Sustainability and Risk planning with incident reporting. 14 eager participants on their toes passed the training with excellent results and can now call themselves Mountain Leader 2.0.

In the Swedish Mountain Leader organization, the board meeting was held at Tuesday. So now the work with a lot of interesting activities will be on track. Such as a Nordic Mountain Leader convent at Åre. A new homepage, and a lot of interesting webinars to come….

The upcoming week I will do a review of the mid-layer Ortovox Men’s fleece light zip Neck and the Ortovox men’s 230 competition boxer.

When it comes to workout I am testing a new control. Moving a body of 90kg 200m and 15 pull-ups and 25 hand release burpees and run 200m 15 pull-ups and 25 burpees again and run 200m within 29 minutes – that a challenge…

Nobody Told Me | Irie Tahitian Reggae 2026

See ya at Sunday…

David Thurfjell historian of religion means that the nature has become the religion of our time. When you ask people if they are religious then the answer becomes problematic. -I’m not religious but when I’m staring at the horizon or hiking in the mountains then I can feel something. So what is the link between the love of nature and the religion they says they don’t have? There is no clear age of visiting the nature, but it is a wide range. 18-25 year olds are probably the group that is least inclined to go out into nature. Important fact is that the nature not is the average day place, where you work or live. From a religion historical perspective is that the holy  is not the common. It is rather something unique related to freedom, relaxing and recovery. One important thing that David pointing at will be the expectancy effects. If I have a experience of calm, freedom and relaxation, we will related to the expectancy effects will become the same as before…But was is that makes us feel more spiritual.  Well, it connects to something greater outside of oneself, might be one explanation. a sense of belonging, I am part of something bigger.

Review of the Deuter Trail 24L back pack. This is a daypack, for short adventures. This backpack is designed for Hiking and mountaineering. It is perfect for a day in the mountains. It is in alpine fit, which means it is tight. It has a lot of good details that I really likes. One it the gear loops for Via Ferrata carabiners placed at the shoulder straps. The full-length zipper is another appreciated detail.

The mounts for the poles, and pocket for both the water bottles and thermos  are also well thought out. The fact that it comes with a rain cover is also a good thing. Ok, so what is missing then? Well, I would say nothing. I really like the back part and its structure. But two things that will be a ? from my side is 1. no pockets on the hip belt, 2. a bit hard to get a bottle from the pocket. 3. It is a tight backpack, for me being skinny, it is perfect. But for someone bigger, I cant see it will be nice to carry. But a (NNNN+) it will be…

This weeks book suggestion…

When mountain leader Magnus Fjellman disappears without a trace in the desolate Drommenskåran, old legends about a strange light lurking among the rocks are awakened. Detective Inspector Emma Lindström, newly moved from Stockholm, follows the tracks up to the barren peaks and quickly realizes that the mountain is brooding over layers of secrets that defy both logic and law. The closer she gets to the truth, the clearer the echo of the villagers’ warning is heard: ”The mountain takes what it wants.” In summary, The Mountain is a dark, atmospheric story about how far people are prepared to go when nature and perhaps something even older calls. It leaves the reader with the question: What are we really willing to sacrifice for the answers we seek?

KONNA – What We Had (Lyrics)

See ya soon…

outdoor activities are a spring treat, 8 out of ten plan a outdoor activity this year. One out of three points out that the interest of outdoor activity has increased. This ha also been visible in the outdoor market as well with a increased sale of 60%.  The reason; it is easy and cheap.

”We see how more people are seeking out something simple, authentic and undemanding. It doesn’t have to be a mountain trip with a full pack, sometimes a walk in the forest, a coffee over an open fire or lunch at a storm kitchen in the nearest nature reserve is enough.” Trends like ’soft Hiking’ show that outdoor life today is just as much about well-being, community and small moments outdoors – under the open sky,” says outdoor expert Camilla Gerdsland at Light My Fire. 

I think its interesting that the young people also has an increased interest of outdoor activities. Activities such as ”soft hiking” and it moves more towards experiencing than achieving, which has been the motto before. Sitting at a lake and staring out for some hours can be really peaceful and recovering…

Are you one of those people who has been in the mountains for the past twenty years? Then you will also know the changes that have occurred and are occurring. We are all part of the problem, but we decide to what extent. To begin with, I thought I would reflect on my experiences from a historical sustainability perspective. In the beginning of the 80s. the Sylarna glacier was big and solid; today it collapsed. The Helags glacier has become considerably smaller. So, all of us who move around in the mountain areas, all have our stories about the difference from the past to today. We don’t need to listen to or understand the scientists’ reports and diagrams, because we have seen it with our own eyes. Just take an event like the marmot years, which are gone now…

Well, we can see some of the changes. But how does it affect us in our daily adventures? To begin with we need to re-think our safety planning. The weather is much more unpredictable, and extreme weather is a fact. This will affect the water flow, which affects where and how to do river crossing feks. During winter the trails that go over ice and marsh are they safe? Avalanches will be more difficult to predict where and when and zones of them as well. With major unpredictable weather changes, the flow down the mountain sides is affected. As well as the risk of rockfalls increases and in places that were previously unknown. The map may not be correct, there will be local temporary deviations, so collaboration with people who know the local conditions will be important.

Everyone can’t do it all, but anyone can do something…

Workout, with a sprained ankle, the training has been affected. But a lot of strength and hill running has been possible to do. So, on my way for becoming in shape for the summer adventures…

Too Fast For My Soul | Irie Tahitian Reggae 2026

See ya soon